The latest Michael Pineda MLB and fantasy baseball news

New York Yankees SP Michael Pineda tossed five shutout innings in spring training Friday, March 27, allowing five hits while striking out five and walking none. Pineda threw 62 pitches and lowered his spring ERA to 1.32 in his fourth start.

Fantasy Tip: Pineda was strong in his return to the Yanks last year, going 5-5 with a 1.89 ERA and 0.83 WHIP and 59 strikeouts in 76 1/3 innings over 13 starts. Now that he's fully healthy, Pineda could be in line for a great 2015 season, and he'll come cheap in fantasy drafts.

New York Yankees SP Michael Pineda said he is more comfortable with the team this season, and he has had good spring results since reporting early. Pineda threw two scoreless innings Monday, March 9, giving up a hit and striking out two. SP Ivan Nova said that Pineda arrived in camp last year out of shape, and there is a noticeable difference in his conditioning in 2015.

Fantasy Tip: List Pineda in a group of 2015 starting pitching sleepers after he went 5-5 with a 1.89 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 76 1/3 innings (13 starts) in 2014. Pineda, 26, was a highly-touted prospect with the Seattle Mariners, but it all came undone when he was traded to the Yanks, mainly due to a serious shoulder injury. Now that he's healthy, he's primed to be a great value pick late in drafts.

Fantasy Tip: Pineda is being counted on to be a big contributor to New York's starting rotation, despite missing the bulk of the last three seasons due to multiple shoulder injuries. Depending on how he fares this spring, he could be worth a late-round flier in AL-only leagues and should be monitored in mixed leagues.

New York Yankees SP Michael Pineda has been working at the Yankees' facility since Jan. 28, and he's supposed to throw his first bullpen session, one that will include breaking balls, Friday, Feb. 13. "I want to be healthy and strong," Pineda said. "I want to be ready for 200 innings." Last year was his first healthy season with the Yankees, and he pitched 76.1 innings after failing to throw a pitch for the major league club in 2012 or 2013.

New York Yankees SP Michael Pineda looked really good in his win over the Kansas City Royals Monday, Aug. 25, in which he threw 95 pitches and attacked the strike zone consistently. Pineda has walked only one batter in 17 1/3 innings since returning from the disabled list. "I hadn't thrown 95 pitches before and I had very good energy in the seventh inning," he said. "I'm happy with that. I'm feeling good. I have good power in my arm. I'm happy with that."

Fantasy Tip: Pineda will return to make the start on the road against the Baltimore Orioles tonight. It's not the best day to throw him into daily lineups immediately. However, he should be picked up in the majority of leagues for the stretch run.

Fantasy Tip: Pineda should be picked up in the majority of leagues now that he's healthy. He can provide you with a needed pitching boost down the stretch. Starting him immediately Wednesday against the O's seems unwise, though.

No official decision has been made regarding whether New York Yankees SP Michael Pineda (shoulder) will return to the starting rotation. Ideally, manager Joe Girardi wants Pineda to be capable of throwing at least 90 pitches per start.

Fantasy Tip: If Pineda rejoins the rotation, he could start Wednesday, Aug. 13. He should be owned in most AL-only leagues and is a viable option for many deep mixed leagues.